THE CHURCH IS NOT THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

[Fred J]

Hopefully at some point you will investigate tge patriarchs in paradise who recieved the gospel message after Jesus was crucified and descended to hades.
Paradise being adjacent to hades.
Those same patriarchs were RESSURRECTED ALONG WITH Jesus.
They are in heaven now as FIRSTFRUITS of the first resurrection.
Jesus also being firstfruits....OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

No!

When Christ was in the heart of the earth, He went and ministered to the spirits bound in chain during the days of Noah.

Read carefully, they are not human patriarchs of Israel, but rebelled angels who left their positions in Heaven and came down to marry the daughters of human men. Their offsprings are the cause of the atrocities and innocent death on earth, until GOD had to bring the flood.

Angels are all ministering 'spirits', .............................. (Hebrews 1:14)

Other reply of yours am not going to respond, for it equally show of an unlearned and unstable demeanour which even tire Christ.

 

[Scott Downey]

Hopefully at some point you will investigate tge patriarchs in paradise who recieved the gospel message after Jesus was crucified and descended to hades.
Paradise being adjacent to hades.
Those same patriarchs were RESSURRECTED ALONG WITH Jesus.
They are in heaven now as FIRSTFRUITS of the first resurrection.
Jesus also being firstfruits....OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

Yes they are with Christ in heaven.
They were in Abraham's bosom 'paradise', a place of good things and were ministered to by angels.

Luke 16

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with [i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 23
42 Then he said [a]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

And so we can know where Jesus went when He died.
He had not yet ascended back into heaven.

John 20:17
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

Ephesians 4

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [d]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Typically in scripture, the place of the dead, the pit, all of that is thought of as in the earth, below our feet.
The place where in the OT, all people went at death.
But it was divided with a great gulf of separation
And it was not heaven.
Some have claimed Jesus ascended into heaven when He died, but that is impossible according to the scriptures.

Jesus tells us where He was, as did Peter.

Matthew 12:40
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

[rebuilder 454]

Yes they are with Christ in heaven.
They were in Abraham's bosom 'paradise', a place of good things and were ministered to by angels.

Luke 16

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with [i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 23
42 Then he said [a]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

And so we can know where Jesus went when He died.
He had not yet ascended back into heaven.

John 20:17
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

Ephesians 4

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [d]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Typically in scripture, the place of the dead, the pit, all of that is thought of as in the earth, below our feet.
The place where in the OT, all people went at death.
But it was divided with a great gulf of separation
And it was not heaven.
Some have claimed Jesus ascended into heaven when He died, but that is impossible according to the scriptures.

Jesus tells us where He was, as did Peter.

Matthew 12:40
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Yes i totally agree

 

[Scott Downey]

Yes i totally agree

The angels carried Lazarus to Abrahams's bosom where he received good things ministered to by God's angels. God takes care of all His people, in life, in death and in heaven.
But in this life, we sometimes have to suffer persecutions and tribulations, they prove our faith genuine.

Hebrews 1:13-14

New King James Version

​

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”


1 Peter 1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the [a]pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

A Heavenly Inheritance​

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [b]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been [c]grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not [d]seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

 

[ScottA]

In keeping with what you keep claiming about the flesh, spiritualizing everything is equally a serious problem in interpretation. There's the flesh and then there's the hyper-spiritualization of everything whereby one can make it say whatever they want, just like allegorizing.

Whether you like it or not, the Lord is still not finished with Israel (the flesh, genetic). Kicking against that rock will only mash your own toes.

BTW

Those who speak against spiritualizing, speak against God.

God is spirit, and is "spiritualizing" all who are born of Him.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Those who speak against spiritualizing, speak against God.

God is spirit, and is "spiritualizing" all who are born of Him.

Where are you getting all these cliche's? Spiritualizing the word of God at every point and turn is nothing but subjunctivizing it.

BTW

 

[ScottA]

Where are you getting all these cliche's? Spiritualizing the word of God at every point and turn is nothing but subjunctivizing it.

BTW

Oh, you mean, like speaking in parables?

It's a Family tradition.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Oh, you mean, like speaking in parables?

It's a Family tradition.

Over-spiritualizing is what I've always gotten from Charismatics who like making the scriptures out to say whatever they want to hear from them. Parables were fine for the Lord to speak for the purposes He stated. People trying to fancy themselves as master of parables in modern conversations...foolishness. They are impressing only themselves. Fleshly pride, in all its manifestations, is ugly.

MM

 

[ScottA]

Over-spiritualizing is what I've always gotten from Charismatics who like making the scriptures out to say whatever they want to hear from them. Parables were fine for the Lord to speak for the purposes He stated. People trying to fancy themselves as master of parables in modern conversations...foolishness. They are impressing only themselves. Fleshly pride, in all its manifestations, is ugly.

MM

You just offended many biblical characters--and God Himself.

While it is true that there is a great deal of phony, would-be spiritualization, to take away all categorically was the cause of Woe from Christ against the lawyers. To the contrary, we are to hear what the spirit says by whatever means.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

You just offended many biblical characters--and God Himself.

While it is true that there is a great deal of phony, would-be spiritualization, to take away all categorically was the cause of Woe from Christ against the lawyers. To the contrary, we are to hear what the spirit says by whatever means.

Wow. Sounds like you fancy yourself the authority over the Patriarchs and the Lord Himself as to their being offended or not.

Hope you don't mind it that I won't be bowing down to you.

BTW

 

[ScottA]

Wow. Sounds like you fancy yourself the authority over the Patriarchs and the Lord Himself as to their being offended or not.

Hope you don't mind it that I won't be bowing down to you.

BTW

Wow indeed, such a fight you make against the Spirit!

So shall it be written.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Wow indeed, such a fight you make against the Spirit!

So shall it be written.

That's a movie play. Yes, I saw that years ago.

The fight isn't against the Spirit of the Lord, it's against the falsehoods you have tried to spew as biblical truth.

BTW

 

[ScottA]

That's a movie play. Yes, I saw that years ago.

The fight isn't against the Spirit of the Lord, it's against the falsehoods you have tried to spew as biblical truth.

BTW

Be clear, on what do you base your accusation? Are you sent from God, or is it something less?

 

[Lizbeth]

Not really. Israel will once again be raised up by the Lord who chose us, to serve His purposes in the Millennium and the New Earth. Those purposes will not involve an inclusion of Gentiles, although Israel and Gentiles will live together on the New Earth. The body of Christ, however, will be in the Heavenlies.

BTW

Box 2Co 5:16-17

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Gal 6:15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.



Gal 3:26

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Box 2Co 5:16-17

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Gal 6:15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Notice the tense of Pal's words. He was speaking of Christ having once been known after the flesh, but that he, they and we today should not desire to know Christ after the flesh. He has already been crucified and raised up. He has completed His mission here on this earth where our redemption is concerned.

Please elaborate further for us as to what you see in this.

Gal 3:26

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Again, notice what is stated here and its tense. The context is speaking in relation to salvation. When Paul write this, it was long after the ascension of Christ as the fall of Israel, and the subsequent revelation of the mystery hidden in God since creation; known before by no man, angel or demon until Paul.

This context does not at all nullify the distinctions that do exist, and will continue to exist in the tribulation on into the Millennial Kingdom and in the New Earth. I agree with you that salvation is not parsed out on any basis of being Jew or Gentile, male nor female, slave nor freeman, etc. Forcing that over into the areas of scripture where it does not belong, that is subjective application, no less.

BTW

 

[Lizbeth]

Notice the tense of Pal's words. He was speaking of Christ having once been known after the flesh, but that he, they and we today should not desire to know Christ after the flesh. He has already been crucified and raised up. He has completed His mission here on this earth where our redemption is concerned.

Please elaborate further for us as to what you see in this.

Believers have been baptized into Christ's death, burial and resurrection. That passage is speaking not just of not knowing Christ after the flesh any longer, but includes those who are His. Now we only really know people according to whether they belong to Christ or not. Israel after the flesh is unbelieving and lost, sadly.....scripture says "if you have not the Son you have not the Father either".

Again, notice what is stated here and its tense. The context is speaking in relation to salvation. When Paul write this, it was long after the ascension of Christ as the fall of Israel, and the subsequent revelation of the mystery hidden in God since creation; known before by no man, angel or demon until Paul.

This context does not at all nullify the distinctions that do exist, and will continue to exist in the tribulation on into the Millennial Kingdom and in the New Earth. I agree with you that salvation is not parsed out on any basis of being Jew or Gentile, male nor female, slave nor freeman, etc. Forcing that over into the areas of scripture where it does not belong, that is subjective application, no less.

Unbelieving Israel are not heirs of salvation/eternal life. "And scripture says, what would it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul." Even if Israel after the flesh becomes the dominant earthly kingdom for a little while, it will not profit her unto eternal life.

The belief in a future millennial earthly kingdom is leading souls to a false messiah to rule over it. I used to think Jesus' reign was future as well, until the Lord was gracious to open my eyes. That is why the Jews rejected Jesus in the first place, because they were looking for an earthly king and kingdom, not spiritual/heavenly. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father ruling and reigning now, in THIS age. This age of grace is the figurative thousand year reign of Christ. Its by faith, not by sight. Forget if I posted this verse on this thread already, but Jesus said "If I by the finger of God cast out demons then the kingdom has come to you." And He testified after His death/resurrection that all power and authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him...that means ruling and reigning.

Read 2 Peter 3 carefully. THIS age is the figurative 1000 year age of God's longsuffering before judgment comes that we are to account as salvation....and when He returns this temporal world and all physical life is going to be judged and burn up. The thousand years is figurative for an age. Jesus said His kingdom comes not with observation, that we may say lo here it is or there, but is within us....His kingdom is not of this world. He was trying to correct the wrong thinking the Jews had. We are not looking for an earthly kingdom, but we look for an heavenly......new heavens and new earth are heavenly......spiritual realm, eternal, indestructible.

The book of Revelation has been misinterpreted.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Believers have been baptized into Christ's death, burial and resurrection. That passage is speaking not just of not knowing Christ after the flesh any longer, but includes those who are His. Now we only really know people according to whether they belong to Christ or not. Israel after the flesh is unbelieving and lost, sadly.....scripture says "if you have not the Son you have not the Father either".

Unfortunately, many have looked upon the fall of Israel as an opportunity to foist replacement theology upon unsuspecting people who don't read their Bibles, thus the army of professing believers who think they have been grafted into Israel, thus replacing Israel by way of an alleged "good branches (Gentiles) healing the entire plant...," allegedly. Replacement theology manifests itself through many shades of philosophy that has deeply entrenched itself into the fleshly, prideful thinking of many. This plays well into the hands of the enemy of our souls.

Unbelieving Israel are not heirs of salvation/eternal life. "And scripture says, what would it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul." Even if Israel after the flesh becomes the dominant earthly kingdom for a little while, it will not profit her unto eternal life.

Good point. That's why the scriptures are replete with the "remnant." That there is a remnant, that speaks loud volumes to the continuance of Israel, especially when raised up at the Second Coming. Zechariah makes it clear that 2/3rds of all Jews will be wiped out, with the last third delivered by Christ at His Second and going into the Millennial Kingdom, and then into the New Earth.

The belief in a future millennial earthly kingdom is leading souls to a false messiah to rule over it. I used to think Jesus' reign was future as well, until the Lord was gracious to open my eyes. That is why the Jews rejected Jesus in the first place, because they were looking for an earthly king and kingdom, not spiritual/heavenly. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father ruling and reigning now, in THIS age. This age of grace is the figurative thousand year reign of Christ. Its by faith, not by sight. Forget if I posted this verse on this thread already, but Jesus said "If I by the finger of God cast out demons then the kingdom has come to you." And He testified after His death/resurrection that all power and authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him...that means ruling and reigning.

Amillennialism will be in for a surprise when things play out just as scripture portrays them. Hanagraff and his gang need to do lots more homework.

Read 2 Peter 3 carefully. THIS age is the figurative 1000 year age of God's longsuffering before judgment comes that we are to account as salvation....and when He returns this temporal world and all physical life is going to be judged and burn up. The thousand years is figurative for an age. Jesus said His kingdom comes not with observation, that we may say lo here it is or there, but is within us....His kingdom is not of this world. He was trying to correct the wrong thinking the Jews had. We are not looking for an earthly kingdom, but we look for an heavenly......new heavens and new earth are heavenly......spiritual realm, eternal, indestructible.

The book of Revelation has been misinterpreted.

Failure to differentiate between the Israel to whom Peter was speaking and the body of Christ, which arose from the mystery revealed through Paul by Christ Himself, that does indeed lead to confusions like what you have stated here.

BTW

 

[Lizbeth]

Unfortunately, many have looked upon the fall of Israel as an opportunity to foist replacement theology upon unsuspecting people who don't read their Bibles, thus the army of professing believers who think they have been grafted into Israel, thus replacing Israel by way of an alleged "good branches (Gentiles) healing the entire plant...," allegedly. Replacement theology manifests itself through many shades of philosophy that has deeply entrenched itself into the fleshly, prideful thinking of many. This plays well into the hands of the enemy of our souls.

I only wish the Jews and Israel well.......but above all that they might know their messiah and receive eternal life, because this life is short and temporal for both Jew and Gentile. That thing called replacement theology is a false dichotomy, and a false accusation. There is "Israel after the flesh" and "the Israel of God" which came out of Israel after the flesh. It is the Israel of God that we have been grafted into as it were......referred to also as a commonwealth, which indicates other nations (Gentiles) joined with the Israel of God. You must remember "we" is the church which is made of both Jew and Gentile...."we" are one new man, because of being a new creation, so there is no competition or enmity between Jew and Gentile as far as the born again church is concerned. That partition has been torn down. And yes it's the church bearing the torch of the gospel which brings healing.... ruling and reigning with Christ, saving souls, casting out demons and healing sickness and disease. We need to stop looking for earthly type fulfillments of prophecy....He speaks to us in parables and the apostle wrote that these things happened unto Israel and were written down as ensamples for OUR admonition. We're supposed to have our eyes, our hopes and affections on things above, not on things of this earth. Eyes on the unseen, not on the seen. Comparing spiritual with spiritual as the scripture says.

Putting Israel after the flesh on a pedestal and making that one's focus is what plays into the enemy's hands and endangers the soul, I'm afraid. Israel after the flesh is not the mystery of God hid from the foundation of the world....the one new man Jew/Gentile church through the gospel, is.

Good point. That's why the scriptures are replete with the "remnant." That there is a remnant, that speaks loud volumes to the continuance of Israel, especially when raised up at the Second Coming. Zechariah makes it clear that 2/3rds of all Jews will be wiped out, with the last third delivered by Christ at His Second and going into the Millennial Kingdom, and then into the New Earth.

Only a remnant will be saved....think that might be roughly about a third...? We need "ears to hear" what the SPIRIT is saying through the scriptures remember? And they can only be saved through the gospel and by no other means. Their ethnicity will not save them. Jesus hands the kingdom back over to the Father upon His return, so how will He be ruling and reigning after that?...see 1 Corinthians 15. We've been trying to wrest scripture to force it to fit our wrong understanding of Revelation.

Amillennialism will be in for a surprise when things play out just as scripture portrays them. Hanagraff and his gang need to do lots more homework.

The scriptures you have in mind ARE and HAVE BEEN playing out for 2000 years my friend, lol. Looking for a future earthly kingdom is leading many souls to a Temple made by hands and false messiah who will seem able to deliver on the promise of an earthly utopia. That belief unfortunately tripped the Jews up before and caused them to reject Jesus...... and is about to do so again, along with many Christian souls, unless they wake up.

Failure to differentiate between the Israel to whom Peter was speaking and the body of Christ, which arose from the mystery revealed through Paul by Christ Himself, that does indeed lead to confusions like what you have stated here.

It's only confusing you because you are not rightly understanding. We need to approach Revelation from the scriptures which came before, not trying to work back from Revelation in order to try and understand the earlier scrips. Put aside your beliefs on this for a minute and just let 2Peter 3 and 1 Corinthians 15 say what they are saying. And then know that a true understanding of Rev will not contradict those scrips.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

I only wish the Jews and Israel well.......but above all that they might know their messiah and receive eternal life, because this life is short and temporal for both Jew and Gentile.

That is so true, and some of us do follow Christ Jesus. Many Messianics who are my brothers and sisters have gone down the path of Messianic Judaism, which I oppose as a fellow Jew. They are doing as our ancestors in Jerusalem, being zealous for the Law, thus trying to intermix faith in Christ Jesus with ancient Judaism. That's as wrong as the sun rising in the West, but they absolutely don't want to listen.

That thing called replacement theology is a false dichotomy, and a false accusation. There is "Israel after the flesh" and "the Israel of God" which came out of Israel after the flesh.

That's apples to oranges. Replacement theology is the phenomenon of Gentiles injecting themselves into the place of Israel in prophetic, future events and status in the eyes of Yah right now. That system of belief has us completely erased from the Lord's dealings with Israel in future events of His wrath in the tribulation and His blessings in the Millennial Kingdom and the New Jerusalem.

The body of Christ in this present age of grace is not destined for the tribulation, the Millennial Kingdom nor the New Jerusalem. They are free to wish upon a star that they would be among that crowd, but it's just not meant to be in Yah's economy.

It is the Israel of God that we have been grafted into as it were......referred to also as a commonwealth, which indicates other nations (Gentiles) joined with the Israel of God.

No. That is not true:

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Romans 11:17, 19, 23
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; ...
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. ...
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

This and so much more totally blows to pieces replacement theology that started with Augustine and much of his ilk.

So, your "...as it were..." does indeed miss the mark entirely. I'm not trying to argue the point to be contentious, but I felt that clarification did need to be made.

You must remember "we" is the church which is made of both Jew and Gentile...."we" are one new man, because of being a new creation, so there is no competition or enmity between Jew and Gentile as far as the born again church is concerned.

And yet replacement theology followed by many out there in various forms and depths has Israel completely done away with from prophecies without realizing that although Israel has fallen (Luke 13), the Lord will raise us back up again at His second coming to rule and reign with Him in the Kingdom promised to our father Abraham. Yes, genetic Israel shall rule the world in that Millennial Kingdom, and members of the body of Christ should not have any problem with that, and yet choose jealousy on the basis of false doctrines and hatred.

That partition has been torn down.

Absolutely.

I'll cut this off here since this software is written or set up to not allow long posts.

BTW

 

[complete]

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.​

​

- Paul here is not saying the church, the body of Christ, is the bride of Christ. Paul is using espousal to illustrate the faithfulness and purity of the church unto Christ Jesus.​

'For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:
for I have espoused you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,
so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.'
(2Co 11:2-3)

Hello @Doug,

Yes indeed, Thank you for making this clear.

[2 Corinthians 11:3-4 KJV] 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].​

​

- In the above verses Paul is admonishing the church for following other apostles and another gospel. He was exhorting them to remain faithful to Christ as they received him from Paul.​

[Ephesians 5:23, 32 KJV] 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. ... 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.​

​

- The relationship the church has with Christ is expressed by marriage. Christ is the head of the church just as the husband is head of the wife.​

* Yes, thus conveying the oneness that exists between the believer and Christ Jesus their risen and glorified Saviour, Lord and Head.
Praise God!

[Isaiah 62:4-5 KJV] 4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. 5 For [as] a young man marrieth a virgin, [so] shall thy sons marry thee: and [as] the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, [so] shall thy God rejoice over thee.​

​

[Isaiah 54:5 KJV] 5 For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.​

[Hosea 2:19-20 KJV] 19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. 20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.​

​

- A number of verses express a marriage relationship with Israel as seen above.​

* Yes, and the relationship that Israel held as 'The Wife' is rarely referred to. That relationship will be restored.

[Revelation 21:2, 9-10 KJV] 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ... 9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,​

- The holy city, the new Jerusalem is described as being the bride, the lamb's wife; this is the bride of Christ, not the church, the body of Christ.​

[Rev 21:12 KJV] 12 And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:​

- The twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates.​

[Rev 21:14 KJV] 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.​

- The names of the twelve apostles of Israel are written in the foundations.​

[Rev 21:24 KJV] 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.​

- Some Gentile nations will be saved to enter the kingdom on earth depending on how they treated Israel in the tribulation (Matthew 25:31-34); the nations that will enter the holy city will do so as a result of the ministry of the priesthood of believing Israel in the kingdom on earth (Zechariah 8:22-23 Exodus 19:6 Revelation 5:10 20:6).​

Thank you, Doug.
In Christ Jesus
Chris